AMAZING TRUE STORIES

GENIUS: ARETHA

Premieres Spring, National Geographic

GENIUS IS SHOWING a true musical prodigy some R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

After honoring two accomplished European men—Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso—in its first two installments, National Geographic explores the life of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, the legendary American singer whose six-decade recording career has been the soundtrack for millions of lives the world over. One fan, Tony-, Grammy-and Emmy-winning actress-singer Cynthia Erivo (earning raves for), plays the diva in this eight-part series. “Aretha,” Erivo says, “is definitely one of my inspirations.”